I have a bad shoulder that was caused, in part, by too much "pumping" the sails. I also find it hard to pull the main sheet in heavier wind.After a lot of physio the shoulder is about 90%.Should I go for the 8:1 blocks: I have the stock 7:1 now. I have a quote of $500 for new harken H-2631 and H-2632 blocks. I also need 52 feet of sheet.Anyone who has done this upgrade I would appreciate your advise.Thanks,Rob

There have been a few "stock" systems over the years. Do you currently have Harken or Seaway brand blocks? Do you have three individual blocks that hang from the boom bales or do you have one triple block that hangs from one bale? Also, what is the diameter of your mainsheet?

All of these factors help determine how good your current system is. If you've already got a decent 7:1 system, then you probably won't notice much going to 8:1. If you don't currently have a good 7:1 system, then an upgrade could make a big difference.

Rob, you have my sympathies.I also have a 'weekend warrior' injury, (elbow) and I am fortunate to be married to a wonderful person who is also a great physical therapist. The healing is going well, and we did okay at last night's 'round the buoys' racing...however, I am wary about a recurrence.

SRM, we run with a Harken main-block, and three single blocks, with Robbline.On Starboard, I am fine.On Port tack, if there is traffic, life gets 'interesting'. If no traffic, I can use two hands. One handed sheeting delays the full recovery.

Suggestions?Will a bunch of cash ease the physicality that much?

(Our son says to buy a Tiger....more on that later).

_________________1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I'm not a big fan of the three single boom block arrangement. It doesn't tend to run very cleanly. There would probably be some advantage in just switching to a single triple top block and keeping your current bottom block.

Switching from 7:1 to 8:1 would theoretically result in about a 12% load reduction (in reality, it won't be that much since there are frictional losses with the added purchase), so not a huge difference. Whether it's worthwhile is really your call. Keep in mind that with the added purchase, you will also have to work more sheet- i.e. for a given puff, you will have to let out more line and pull in more line, so you won't be pulling as hard on the line, but you will be pulling more line.

Well I bought the 8:1 Harken carbo blocks and after 2 months am very happy with them. No more sore shoulder and am able to sheet-in one handed. The carbo ratchet makes holding position a two finger job (I just have to remember that and relax the death-grip)

This comment is not about the mainsheet system, but of the injury the OP mentioned. I cannot stress enough the benefits of knowing a good sports masseuse for treatment of muscle pull injuries (not tears). After two separate incidents of rotator cuff injuries from manhandling 110 sq. meter spinnakers in heavy air, a masseuse got me properly healed, preventing a 'frozen shoulder' syndrome.

Working the mainsheet is a similar muscle exercise, albeit at a far lower pull angle than a spin.

Chris is 110% correct.. may I suggest that all of us widen our network to include a physical therapist, or kinesiologist or chiro or massage therapist who understands soft tissue injuries and sports medicine. These folks are invaluable. I am very fortunate to be married to one.... who has kept me in good shape, when I listen to her !

Back to blocks....over last winter, we changed our stock 7:1 on the H18SX to a triple on the outer bail and a H002 on the centre bail, with 10 mm Robbline, and it has altered how much we can sheet in. Sheeting in is good... not block-to-block but at least my boom is centred. On the upwind, I can now 'hold' the Tornado's against whom we race every Weds. The only change I would make is to an upper triple with becket.... or to the Harken 8:1 carbo's..... let's see how we do on this weekend's FANFARE regatta

_________________1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Look for the pro's doing an upgrade, you can find a great 8:1 for about $250-$300. No matter what, as you increase purchase you increase length of sheet and less diameter to keep the line flowing quickly. I swapped my stock 1996 7:1 on my H20 to a 8:1 but i think i'm going to do a double small block in the middle to make the system 9:1. I know its not class legal but hell……. wearing thru gloves, my palms and many blisters is getting old real quick. the jump from 7 to 8:1 isn't a big difference IMHO. Going from stock sheet to Maffoli Swiftcord DOES make a noticeable difference. Much easier on the hands. I use 9mm.